Fans Keep Memories Trucking For Garcia

Almost five years have passed since Jerry Garcia died, but the spirit of the visionary leader of the Grateful Dead has lived on in the legion of loyal fans of the legendary band.

"I love what Jerry stood for," said Aeric Moskowitz, 35. "He was about doing what you feel is right and not worrying about what other people think."

The freelance photographer from Kendall has another reason for paying homage to the counterculture icon.

"He was an incredible guitar player," Moskowitz said. "He rocked."

About 1,000 Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead fans, "Deadheads," went to the second annual Jerry's Birthday Bash at Secret Woods Nature Center in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday to celebrate -- two days early -- what would have been the musician's 58th birthday.

Garcia died Aug. 9, 1995, of a cardiac arrest while undergoing drug and alcohol detoxification at the Serenity Knolls treatment center in California.

South Floridians who admire the man and his music gathered at the center for music, food, fun, and, in keeping with the Grateful Dead subculture, fellowship.

"When you see Deadheads get together, there is peace, harmony, sharing, and people helping each other," said Paddy Cunningham-Pascatore, 40, of Dania Beach. "That's what it's all about."

Events at the bash included a Jerry look-alike contest, a tie-dyed T-shirt contest, birthday cake and live music.

Cunningham-Pascatore, a naturalist at Secret Woods, has organized several Grateful Dead events at the park in recent years.

"People come to pay homage to someone who was not only an incredible musician, but an incredible human being," she said.

A number of loyal Jerry Garcia fans drove from Palm Beach County to attend the event.

"We totally miss Jerry every single day," said Heather Bushey, 32, of Delray Beach, who attended with several friends to hear Delray-based Grateful Dead cover band Crazy Fingers play.

"Events like this are great, because we get to see a lot of old friends," said her husband, Bruce Bushey, 36.

As North Miami Beach resident Chris Waddell prepared to play at the party with his band Campfire Nitemares, he reflected on the effect Garcia had on his life.

"Playing live music is what I live for, and I owe it all to Jerry Garcia," said Waddell, 37. "Listening to him is what inspired me to start playing guitar when I was 12."

"I grew up in the '60s, so this scene is nothing new to me," said Barbara Ann Ehrlish, co-owner of the Cajun/American restaurant. "But I'm glad to see the scene is alive, because Jerry was an incredible talent who died too soon."